Devils Capture 3rd Place at 2009 D2 Cup

The 2009 fall season officially came to an end on Sunday with the conclusion of the District 2 Jamboree Cup at the Sunnyvale Soccer Complex. Not to be outdone by their other wonderful accomplishments this season, the Devils brought home a 3rd place finish in the tournament, allowing a mere two goals in four games throughout the weekend. The bronze medal performance gave the girls a top 4 finish in all four tournaments played during the fall season. That, along with the league championship, made the fall 2009 season the most successful in the team’s brief history.

Saturday’s competition pegged the Devils against the South San Jose Aftershock and the Almaden Quicksilver. The first game of the tournament would turn out to be the one that got away, and also prevented the Devils from reaching a tournament championship final for a third time this season.

Game 1 vs South San Jose Aftershock

The early morning game bug would bite the Devils once again, who have been notoriously slow starters in games that commenced before 9am. This game would be no different. The Aftershock gave the Devils an early scare, when Clara, the Devils keeper, pinched out to the left corner of the box to cut-off a partial breakaway. She would partially deflect the ball, but it would end up on the aftershock forward foot wide left of the goal. A shot attempt rang off the post, and Sunnyvale was able to clear the ball safely.

The tightly played contest would begin to open up in the devils favor late in the 1st half. Marlene would just miss on a rocket shot from the top of the box that squarely hit the crossbar in the 20th minute.

Sunnyvale would carry the momentum into the start of the 2nd half, narrowly missing on several chances in the Aftershock zone. After 55 minutes of back and forth play, the field would tilt in the Aftershock’s favor. Sadly, Sunnyvale’s home field advantage would bite them. A seemingly routine shot from 35-feet out hit a rut in front of the goal and deflected past Christene, the Devil’s 2nd half keeper for the only score of the game.

Audrey split two defenders a minute later and had an unimpeded line to the goal, but her 20-foot shot was gloved by the aftershock keeper. The Devils made a wild rush to even the game, holding the ball in the South San Jose end of the field for the remainder of the game, but the couldn’t get the ball across the goal line.

Game 2 vs Almaden Quicksilver

Grace works in traffic

The night cap would prove to be a better representation of Devils soccer, with the girls cruising to a 3-0 win over the Almaden Quicksilver. Courtney opened the game’s scoring with a 20-foot shot from the right side that hit the left rear corner of the Almaden net.

Audrey would setup the next goal by splitting two defenders in the 15th minute, then cutting back to her right and making a pretty cross to the right side where Akayla gathered the pass and punched home the 15 footer for the 2-0 lead.

Akayla made it 3-0 in the 30th minute after Courtney lofted a ball from the left side. Sammie received the ball and slid it to her left for the Akayla one-timer from 10 feet out.

Game 3 vs Burlingame Cyclones

Sunnyvale seemed intent on shaking off the rocky start from the previous morning by pressing the play from the opening whistle. Their urgency resulted in a little too much focus on offense. That would bite them, when a Burlingame shot from 30 feet weaved its way past two Devils’ defenders and the goal keeper in the 11th minute.

Sunnyvale would right the ship and get place more emphasis on the team play that has been so successful this season. The defensive corps buckled down with Kelly moving to the sweeper position and Clara, Lindsay, Karsyn and Jess Jess forcing the ball up field.

Jess Jess swings the ball wide

Akayla would tie the game in the 16th minute after Jess Jess chipped a corner kick feed off the Burlingame keeper. Jess Jess’ shot bounced to the right, where Akayla deposited the equalizer.

The Devils would press the action in the 2nd half, trying to nail down a win, which would put them in the Consolation Final. With time winding down, Burlingame built a head of steam and pushed the ball deep into the Devils zone. Marlene would make a big save with 7 minutes to play, preserving the Devils chances of qualifying for an appearance in the playoff round.

They would get the goal they need in the last minute of play, when a clearing attempt sailed past the Burlingame defense. Akayla had the step she needed and raced down field, out-running two defenders and placing a shot to the right of the Cyclones keeper for the fairy-tale finish.

Consolation Final vs MVLA Typhoons

The consolation final matched two teams very familiar with each other. Sunnyvale and the MVLA Typhoons have faced each other 4 times in league play this year alone, with Sunnyvale taking each meeting.

Audrey drives on goal

The Devils would pour on the offense in the first half, with great play from the midfielders. Grace, Sammie, Katrina, Shivani and Clara would control the middle of the field, preventing the ball from escaping the MVLA zone for seemingly the entire first half.

The midfielders would create the first score of the game by pressing with the ball pushed deep into MVLA territory. Katrina would place the ball at the top of the box, where Grace put a shot on goal. The MVLA keeper made the initial save, but Akayla was there for the put backing the 21st minute, scoring her 5th goal of the tournament.

Making her first appearance in goal since breaking her arm, the Devils keeper, E, was only required handle the ball twice, because of the smothering play by her teammates.

Audrey would push the lead to 2-0 in the 25th minute on a feed up the middle from Grace. The Devils forward received the ball near the top of the penalty arch, then turned toward the goal and punched home a bullet from 15 feet.

MVLA was motivated to get back in the game, and they would cut into the lead with 4 minutes to play on a shot that deflected off Sammie, the 2nd half keeper. The point blank shot came from just outside the right post, but the Devil made a valiant effort to snare it.

The Typhoons had lots of motivation, but not enough time, as the clock expired and the Devils fantastic season came to an end as it has so many times this season… with a victory.